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A document shows that at least 15 proxy outlets will be used to target the Western information space.
The Kremlin has allegedly launched a massive, coordinated propaganda campaign.
According to a statement on the official website of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Russian leader Vladimir Putin personally ordered the new operation.
Intelligence officials say the orders came after Russia faced a failing spring military offensive and severe economic troubles at home. The operation is reportedly being run by a specific unit within the Russian Presidential Administration.
Vladimir Titov leads this department. Analysts claim his group wants to exploit Western media to distract from Russia’s deep economic problems.
Three main targets
The leaked strategy documents outline three clear priorities for the Russian operatives.
First, they want to damage the reputation of Ukraine’s military recruitment efforts and the leaders overseeing them.
Moscow views this part of the plan as critical because of heavy Russian battlefield losses.
Attacking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, his family, and his close political team is the next step in the plan. The goal is to promote the narrative that Zelenskyy is the illegitimate leader of Ukraine and to amplify the current corruption scandal affecting Ukrainian politics. Zelenskyy is not involved in the ongoing investigation.
Finally, operatives want to revive old media controversies. They reportedly plan to renew scrutiny surrounding top Ukrainian official Andriy Yermak by resurfacing a past Tucker Carlson interview.
Fakes and actors
To make the false narratives appear believable, Russian teams allegedly plan to forge official Ukrainian documents. They are also creating staged videos and fake props to deceive unsuspecting viewers online.
Ukraine’s intelligence agency revealed that Russia is using more than 15 proxy websites to spread these stories across Europe and the United States. The leaked list includes outlets such as L’Antidiplomatico and Magyar Nemzet.
This follows a bizarre propaganda campaign uncovered last week. Digital operatives reportedly used fake French magazine covers and AI-generated clips featuring actors from the comedy show The Office.
It sounds like fiction. But officials say it is entirely real.
Sources: Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service
